Etienne Mbappé & The Prophets
@ the 606 Club
19 November 2015

Click an image to enlarge.

Biography

Cameroon born Etienne Mbappé has created a great musical genre of his own, transcending the frontiers between African music and other styles such as funk, rock, jazz and even classical music. Best known for his years with the Zawinul Syndicate, he has also toured extensively in France and abroad with Salif Keita and Manu Dibango (both as bassist and musical director) and the Orchestre National de Jazz, Jacques Higelin, Michel Jonasz, and many others. He also formed the two fusion bands Ultramarine and Chic Hot.

From 2000 until 2003 he played with Joe Zawinul, and he can be heard on several of his recordings. In 2001 Etienne played on Ray Charles’ last album. His bass playing can also be heard on international radio stations on Toumani Diabaté’s recording with Symmetric Orchestra as well as consistent tours and recordings with guitarist John McLaughlin.

On his first solo album Misiya (label: O+) he sings in the Cameroonian language Douala (all the songs are vocal) and his voice is smooth and deep. This is a unique fusion between traditional Cameroonian rhythms (Makossa, Bolobo, Sékélé) and modern music.

Etienne Mbappé continues to perform at sold out venues worldwide to enthralled audiences of mixed nationalities.